Even if we are not able to give television sets to everyone at one shot, at the first phase alone, 53 lacs would have to be given and that can be completed in two years time. This would cost about Rs 1006 crores. In the next five years for all the poverty if everyone has to be given sets, then for a year, it would be only Rs 530 crores. In an annual budget of Rs 30, 000 crores, it is not wrong to spend Rs 530 crores for our mothers and brothers, and it is not something which is not feasible, said Karunanidhi.

Karunanidhi also explained the rationale behind the DMKs various people friendly schemes, announced in its manifesto, and rejected by the ruling AIADMKs view that it was utopian.

Maybe, the scheme will cost the exchequer Rs. 20,000 crore if implemented by the AIADMK government. I will spell out details of my budget during my campaign. It is possible, he added addressing the DPA alliance first electoral campaign meeting at Purasaiwalkkam in Chennai on 05 March 2006.

Karunanidhi also charged Tamilnadus Chief Electoral Officer, Naresh Gupta, for bringing a bad name to the Election Commission by not taking action against AIADMK workers for violating the Model Code of Conduct.

We are not blaming the EC. But the CEO here is attempting to bring a bad name to it, he added.

He said the DMK, after talking to IUML leaders, had taken back the Palayamkottai seat, which had been allotted to IUML.

The DMK would not change its nominees for the coming assembly polls. The party had changed its nominee for Bhavanisagar, as the candidate Geetha Natarajan had written to the party high command, saying she was withdrawing in favour of her brother, O Subramaniam, Karunanidhi asserted.

Asked for his comments on MDMK leader Vaikos charge that he was working to further the interests of his family, Karunanidhi said he could not blame Vaiko for his verbal attacks as he (Vaiko) had a personal attachment towards him.

I and the DMK have faced many personal attacks from the days of social reformer, the late Periyar E V Ramasamy. This is nothing new to me, Karunanidhi added.

On Tamil film actor Sarathkumars fans charge that the DMK was not respecting their sentiments, he said the party held the actor in high esteem. (ANI)